Welcome to the final voyage Viking historical fiction written by bjor wolf narrated by RK Marx copyright 2023 by Brooks audiobooks.com and shadowplay Communications LLC All Rights Reserved no portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author visit Brooks audiobooks.com for updates on the availability of new books and a special free offer chapter 1 Erica As I adhel Abbot of this Monastery bear witness I also took part in the Sorrows my beloved land endured as a result of the Norman conquest and its subsequent tumultuous times inspired by
the esteemed life's Chronicles I was moved to commit these events to record let it be known then that this ancient Monastery was established by the wise and Noble King Alfred he granted it a revenue of 120 hides of land all rich Rich and well-watered fertile and free including its tolls and privileges to further his goals the king imposed duties on certain THS and Nobles whose lands were adjacent to the monastery they were to supply the Brotherhood annually with 150 loads of wood 25 loads of 35 tons of pure ale 70 Beasts for Slaughter 1200 loaves
56 measures of well Shale 16 butts of wine six horses and 130b and 10 Shillings in money these contributions supported the Community's extensive Charities and Hospitality although not Germaine to this narrative detailed records of the monasteries lands and Farms church and Closter outbuildings and the abbots and prior lodgings can be found in our cartularies suffice it to say that during peaceful times this Monastery stood as a remarkable foundation not only providing for the worldly needs of its inhabitants but also attracting pilgrims minstrels And news bearers from across the whole Kingdom who were exceptional sources of
knowledge down the valley one bright September morning in the year 1066 sped ER daughter of Danish th bearwolf who ruled over the land of rivenwood his Hall perched on the distant wooded Heights like a grim Sentinel overlooked the domain Erica a fair young girl of about 15 years stood at the juncture where Koy and blushing maidenhood meets with the Freer and Bolder manners of girlhood her unconscious assumptions of Grace and dignity blended with the wholesome innocent and graceful Womanhood that made her interesting and peacon her open and expressive brow radiated beauty while her somewhat broad
countenance reflected her free unfettered and merry outdoor life in silven England her blue eyes sparkled and glowed like the alert Falcon perched upon her embroidered leather Gauntlet Her nose was simply straight but with a slight upward trend that showed her positive attitude and the warning to all around her she wore a silk blue cap with a broad Crown drooping over a broad Scarlet band two eagle feathers stood erect in the front of the cap while her flax and curls burst forth luxuriantly from underneath circling her forehead and over her ears she wore a handsome gold
torque around her neck with skillfully engraved mystical runic Devices on the pendants complimented by a fur trimmed mantle hanging Loosely over her back leaving her arms free the mantle could become a cloak covering the upper parts of her body entirely if needs be her tight fitting underdress was of Woolen material and she wore sandals with a stout sole of leather and over straps adorned with prepared deer skin in all she was a graceful specimen of budding Womanhood radiating Beauty dignity and gracefulness all integrated With her free-spirited life in nature accompanying the fair Maiden was a
beloved maid and one one of her father's household retainers who served as the Ranger and gamekeeper two dogs trotted at his feet while a falcon with all its equipment perched on his left arm another Falcon perched on Erica's arm ready to take flight release the dogs now Bert wolf for we should have good sport hereabouts and get a great view of it from this Hillside the maiden said upon receiving encouragement from bwolf the dogs wagged their tails and immediately put their noses to the ground threading in and out amongst the Brushwood and G to begin
the hunt a sudden fluttering of wings and a scream sent the Hawks into commotion as a handsome pheasant with abundant plumage took flight iica quickly removed the hood of her Hawk and in one quick move the bird caught the helpless prey it swept down carrying a mass of Feathers and mingled plumage that fluttered to the ground oh that is terribly inadequate Bert wolf arica said impatiently I prefer a good long chase that tests my Lord gray eyes metal hunting slugged creatures like that Pheasant is poor Sport come let us climb higher in the gors and
Bracken on the hill we will likely find Partridge more foul or perhaps even better a woodcock then we can truly test the metal of little Greyy so they clambered together up the Steep Bracken covered Hill until they reached the Heather Fringe that crowned its brow they quickly spotted a cvy of grouse scurrying ahead of them cautiously in the cover until they sprang up with a wh of wings and loud unusual cries Erica again removed the hood of her beloved Falcon grayy and flung The Bird towards its Prey however chasing more hens on the wing was
a different matter than catching a sluggish pheasant since they whisked across the sky like the wind just as soon as they realized they were being pursued they altered their tactics and darted toward the valley for shelter with plump and heavy bodies the mor foul descends faster than falcons with an impetuous whirl and incredible speed the hawk seems to be no match for them as they reach the valley flying low And hiding amongst the trees meanwhile the hawk can be seen scudding above them my poor gray eye you're beaten this time I do believe exclaimed Erica
but just then there was an arrow-like swoop Bravo she shouted he struck his Quarry for he never swoops to miss come along bwolf or heun Gorge himself the greedy little Glutton There She Goes plague on the girl exclaimed bwolf did ever mortal see Such a girl she's like a 2-year-old Philly that has never had bit in its mouth or harness to back and if she throws out a splint or strains a fetlock then the old thing will cousen my back with a cudel and call me a lazy L of a churl but the girl's mood
was uppermost in the damsels thoughts and away she ran down the hill with her long hair streaming behind her never giving a thought to man or maid she came to a halt however when she reached the spot Where apparently graye had made his swoop but not a trace of either falcon or victim was to be seen in vain she blew a tiny silver whistle with which she was W to call her Hawks there was no response the greedy fellow is gorging himself no doubt Bert wolf cried Erica impatiently if you feed him before flying he
is too lazy to exert himself and if he hunts on an empty stomach he turns into a glutton after a catch suddenly a piercing sound echoed in the Distance catching the attention of the three adventurers Erica turned his head towards the noise and exclaimed my goodness edberg please fix my appearance for me do I look foolish hurry up arrange my cloak those courageous gentlemen are approaching who previously denied me the opportunity to participate in the bore hunt on the grounds of my gender honorable bearwolf was kind enough to explain but master ragnvald was hardly any
better despite despite Winning the Queen's favor at the Tilt ground in Westminster against the handpicked Normandy Squires he did not see me worthy of his company but I will prove them wrong and reveal that I can entertain myself and find Amusement without their assistance soon thereafter a pair of Horsemen emerged from the Woods Sporting hunting attire with a green Bandelier draped over their shoulders and waist and a hunter's horn hanging from it they Were followed by a team of Rangers servants hounds and weapons of the chase including B Spears javelins and shortswords two wild bore
carcasses The Spoils of their morning hunt were flung over the backs of a couple of horses the younger of the young Lords could not conceal his grin as soon as he caught a glimpse of Erica's face taking his bugle from his belt he blew a mocking tune in the girl's ear with ridiculous courtesy he addressed her good morning Madame are You taking a little stroll with your maid removing his Hunter's Bonnet he made an exaggerated bow Erica with her air of Grace and humor responded with equal mockery I beg your pardon Noble sir but if
it pleases you I'm not just strolling with my maid I am in fact out Hawking as you can easily detect if you choose I get it now Madame so you decided to entertain yourself since we refused to hunt in a lady's company the young Lord chuckled with a rogish glint In his eyes you sir have hit it exceedingly well which is quite remarkable noted ragnvald we have observed your behavior as word travels fast even if we do not go to court you have been seen gallivanting about with grand Norman ladies and knights erand and we
expected something different from you than from baywolf here but I have lost my hawk in this area so you both must make amends for your past conduct please come down brother bearwolf and You sir who have traveled in France show your chivalry and Aid me in the search for my Hawk ragnvald offered a mock bow to which baywolf sat bewildered not grasping this new kind of language however he did not appreciate the mockery and said enough of the Foolery Erica you would imitate Master ragnvald behavior and end up in court if we did not hold
you back I'm not as foolish as you think me to be this Outburst only Amused ragnvald and erer who laughed at be Wolf's expense please do not make asses of yourselves baywolf grumbled where did you lose your Hawk Erica hereabouts baywolf I was pursuing more foul from the hill and he appeared to have caught them around this area erer explained ragnvald added if that is the case the chase would have led them much further down the slope Erica praised ragnvald X's wit but the latter dismissed it as Condescension they continued their search until they found
the hawk beneath a tree having feasted on its praise flesh and blood ah you ravenous creature exclaimed Erica upon her sighting of the Falcon your wings shall remain grounded for the remainder of this day I presume best to hood him immediately bwolf and transport him home as for me I shall graciously join this cohort of gentlemen if they permit me to do so and only if they believe it to be entirely safe for A lady to embark on such a journey and thus eror and the two young Chieftains led the charge steadily progressing towards the
rugged and primitive yet nevertheless welcoming dwelling of baywolf the DNE chapter 2 storm clouds the messenger who brings unsettling Tidings faces a thankless task his words forever toll like a funeral Bell haunting him as the mournful nail of a dear departed friend mused the great B Shakespeare shall we practice at the joust baywolf our rightful Saxon King faces an invasion by Norman Knights who who are skilled in the art of tilting our yman are unfamiliar with this style of combat so King Harold and his brothers seek Valiant comrades who can match the Normans at their
own game proposed ragnvald leave the joust to Norman fops and their fancy techniques our Hardy Pikeman and broadswords will make short Work of them I have no interest in such pretenses of war with women watching and waving their Cur Chiefs about you meddle with foolishness neighbor snarled bearwolf in disdain thank you for your kind words bearwolf I promise not to whimper or simper if I witness your prowess in battle but men will always find ways to play at War so we shall use both the broadsword and Lance declared Erica agreed exclaimed ragnvald and our Fair
cousin Erica shall Reign as Queen of Beauty in this jute take care not to make a fool of yourself with Norman fooleries ragnvald but I shall indulge you in your Folly for the sake of a bout with the broadsword in true Saxon fashion grumbled baywolf they retired to the Armory and emerged in full armor brandishing lances ragnvald mounted his charger and paraded around showing off his horsemanship and gallantry as he passed IA he dipped his Lance in mock Salutation ER tried to hide it but a red flush briefly crossed her face however she quickly regained
her composure and her eyes sparkled with indignation I suppose he thinks I'm just a child to be teased and joked with she muttered under her breath the two opponents stood 20 Paces apart ready to charge Erica anxious about her brother's unpredictable temper warned them remember this is only a game don't let it get out of hand and turn into a real Fight if I make fun of him he flies into a rage with me who knows what he'll do if you poke him with that ugly weapon Master ragnvald baywolf sneered at her your tongue is
too sharp girl you should be tending to the roasting Hogs instead of babbling in front of men then turning to ragnvald he said are you ready let's finish this Norman nonsense quickly the opponents lowered their Lances and charged ragnvald was taller and more agile than bearwolf and he handled his horse with greater skill it was as if one mind controlled both Horse and Rider baywolf on the other hand was bigger and stronger at 23 and refused to use Norman fighting techniques which he despised Erica pleaded with them once more remember don't let your anger get
the best of you especially you baywolf shut up bird brain baywolf snapped go Inside where you belong women shouldn't be around weapons now let's get on with it if we listen to her she'll chatter like a half fed chicken all day the Tilt began and continued more for sport than serious business ragnvald demonstrated his Superior horsemanship and swordsmanship by striking baywolf at will and avoiding his attacks baywolf grew more frustrated with every blow he received and his lack of skill finally ragnvald dismounted Baywolf with a skillful maneuver and he landed on the ground with a
thud enraged baywolf stood up and shouted get down from that horse I'll beat you with a better weapon bwolf left to retrieve a pair of broadswords iica forgot her state in her concern for beay wolf's anger and went to ragnvald grasping his arm without reservation ragnvald you've made baywolf Furious just as I thought you would will you take care to lose the sword fight to mify him ragnvald laughed And stroked er's hair you are very wise for one so young your Bright Eyes Reveal Your pure intentions when bwolf returned with the swords Erica noticed his
temper had not dissipated be wolf remember this is simply a game don't behead our gracious host bwolf retaliated you're still here you little troublemaker I'll give you the switch if you don't start behaving Erica laughed despite his threat thank you dear brother but the switch hasn't Grown yet cease your provocation young one lest you push me beyond my limit growled the enraged baywolf as he charged towards Erica however Erica was as Nimble as a gazelle and she swiftly EV Ed beay Wolf's grasp his previous attempts to catch the fleet-footed maiden had failed so baywolf returned
to his sword play despite the chaos eriko's distraction had improved the situation and ragnvald was now clearly second best Erica Declared ragnvald the victor of the joust and baywolf the victor of swordplay much to beay Wolf's Delight as Erica grasped beay Wolf's arm they headed towards the hall brother baywolf your your choice of an ash sapling to discipline a young lady is quite shocking you've made me feel humiliated in front of Master ragnvald ARA teased you should cease your teasing ER or I may do something I regret in the future bearwolf warned ER chuckled I
Know you too well brother you won't harm me the th be Wolf's Hall was not a masterpiece of architecture much like its owner it was rough but sturdy the Deep Mullan windows and double layer doors of the Castle's Stout walls were a testament to its strength the large Hall had a long table in the center piled high with food and Ale jugs on each side of the hall were smaller tables where the house cars and villains dined meanwhile the central table was reserved For the th's guests and favored retainers it was clear that baywolf still
followed the Heathen customs of his Viking ancestors carved runes and images of Thor and woden adorned the Castle's wood and stone surfaces on the thing's right sat his daughter AA the object of his great affection since her mother's death on his left sat ragnvald the son of a Saxon Chieftain with vast lands in a nearby Valley at the foot of the table was beay Wolf's son who shared his father's name I have heard that you have been out Hawking today my dear IA spoke the grizzled old th turning to his daughter yes Father brother baywolf
suggested Ed that it was unfitting for a girl like me to take part in the bore hunt Master ragnvald then unfortunately did not support me and I was therefore forced to remain at home so with brother be Wolf's kind permission I instead went out Hawking haa laughed the old th merrily You are a wild and spirited girl with too much wit for honest baywolf but do restrain your tongue he continued stroking her Fair hair he only means well bwolf is a good and brave man much like his father in many ways perhaps not overloaded with
intelligence but always honest and never abandoning a friend or Foe the banquet that followed was hearty and rustic the th's table seldom entertained any guests who had delicate appetites beef venison pork and bread Along with ale vanished at a rapid Pace while the feast continued one of the house cars approached the th and whispered to him that sax Messengers had arrived with urgent messages from the king have them brought in immediately Kings must be obeyed said the th and if they rule wisely honest men like us will obey without hesitation thus The Messengers were brought
in and the th addressed them what message do you have for us Brave Gentlemen that you could not wait for us to finish our meal and for you to taste our Hospitality speak up we Have No Secrets here if it pleases you Noble th the King has sent out a war Arrow summoning all loyal gentlemen and their soldiers to immediately go to York as the Danes have landed in the Humber with King hardrider furthermore count William of Normandy has assembled a fleet of a thousand ships and threatens to invade The southern coasts you bring a
sorrowful message my brave men but you have only done your duty however when two heavy streams become one in a small and confined Channel Devastation follows in their wake this is a terrible day for England with both North and South in great distress he stood before his guests and followers proclaiming my guests are free to make their own decisions on this matter however those within my household including my son Retainers and vassals have Viking Blood csing through our veins it may not be ideal for us to engage in battle against our kin but we are
bound to protect the land that sustains us the response was immediate and fervent a cacophony of agreement echoing through the hall moreover he continued these rapacious Invaders will not differentiate between us and the Saxons they will pillage our homes theve our livestock and even take our lives in this instance we stand with The Saxons fighting them with all our might another surge of approval from the crowd the celebratory atmosphere dissipated abruptly as the meeting adjourned they would convene again in one week ready to meet the Danes in combat at Stamford Bridge a skirmish that would
forever be known as battlebridge from there they would proceed to the gruesome battlefield of Hastings chapter 3 traitors in Council it is often said that treason never Prospers if it prospers however none dare call it so this epigram Rings true throughout history even in the struggles against the Danes and Normans in medieval England after the Victorious battlebridge battle against the Danes and the devastating loss at Hastings ragnvald became leader in his father's Stead the following years saw peace and safety from Norman harassment it wasn't until Williams leave to Normandy in 1069 that A conspiracy brewed
to take back control of the Kingdom the Danes landed in the Humber and the Saxons rallied capturing and executing 3,000 Normans in York following these triumphs the rebel leaders met in York for a council known as a thing the group was a mix of Leaders with varying goals and unity was scarce the Danish leaders especially were greatly demoralized and had taken to rampant pillaging as their primary Motive they were dressed and behaved distinctively with their tan skin rough appearance and weapons at their side ragnvald who fought alongside Harold at Hastings was also present the events
of the past years had aged him lending him a more serious aspect and his body had grown in strength a young leader of great stature and wisdom stood by my side a dear friend and significant ific character in these Chronicles beside him Sat the young th Baywolf also a comrade though of a different lineage he supported the Saxon cause and was native born descended from Danish Settlers of England from three generations prior several other leaders were present but they hold no importance on these Pages at the appointed hour gormer the leader of the Saxon forces
made his entrance a physically imposing man but with a face that lacked confidence Revealed small suspicious eyes that did not provide reassurance accompanying him was a Norman Knight that surprised many by his appearance seeing their reaction Osburn who was with gorma introduced the Norman to the assembly worthy THS and Nobles he proclaimed this Brave and Gallant Norman is Baron valdis one of Williams bravest Knights he has been given some lands bordering the fen country and has been tasked to defend that Coast against the Danes as well as assist in keeping our Valiant Countryman heroad in
check a heavy burden for a Beggar's share of Baron Acres this Noble Knight comes as an emissary of an even greater Norman count hofsos whose Lance caused much destruction in our army at Hastings the count hofsos has sufficient reason to be displeased with the king or his advisers as they have shown ingratitude for his Services he offers to join hands with us bringing 177 Knights along with 300 Trained foot soldiers ready to fight this Brave Baron valdis whose prowess I am certain of is the bearer of letters from the count hofsos which I have thoroughly
examined sealed and signed providing ample evidence of good faith in these circumstances I introduce Baron Valdes to our Council without hesitation the speech was met with stunned silence and murmurs of discontent could be heard throughout the room however no one dared to speak up Except for ragnvald who sprang to his feet and addressed the nobleman respected sir while I do not doubt the sincerity of the credentials presented by the Norman Knight I believe that nobody should be allowed to sit in our Council unless they have demonstrated their loyalty to our cause on the battlefield only
then can we be certain that their pledges are true and unwavering rather than easily discarded the nobleman bristled at Ragnvald impudence how dare you boy let the elders speak if they have objections but you a mere youth should should not question my conduct if it's good enough for me it's good enough for you without complaint our Danish allies have no objection so let us proceed he took his place at the head of the table and the Norman Knight moved to a less prominent seat the council's task was to discuss how to continue the war but
their discussion was far from Fruitful they boasted drank excessively and failed to come up with a plan of action finally the chief of the Danes spoke up my Lord when do we March South we have wasted several days while we could have attacked Sheffield Lester and Birmingham there the Normans have established themselves and amassed great wealth which we could have claimed while this boy is off elsewhere Osborne a member of the Council responded to the Dane we waiting for the arrival of Malcolm of Scotland and Prince AEL reader we believe the Saxons in the South
will rally To His Banner additionally there are more nor to contend with as we move South so we need all our forces available cowardice is the root of this problem exclaimed the Danish Rover why should we fear the Norman dogs or a baby prince who shks from the fight we desire the spoils and remaining hidden here will not bring us Any closer to Victory if we do not move South immediately we will set sail tomorrow and leave you to face the consequences suddenly the council was interrupted as a messenger rushed into the room sweating profusely
from from his Speedy ride what news calls for such haste inquired osbor the messenger replied gasping for breath my lords the Norman has returned to England with an army and is quickly making his way North he is no More than two days marched to the South the council was instantly stricken with Terror at the news the Danish Rover scoffed at their cowardice and toasted to The Bravery of his own countrymen declaring that they would fight on behalf of the Saxons ragn a young Saxon Chieftain Rose to defend his people proclaiming that they too possessed great
bravery and virtue dear me exclaimed the drunken danne you speak of Virtues do you yes Indeed replied the Saxon trying to keep his anger in check we Saxons can preach with the best of them and behave like gentle folk virtues well we have them by The Bushel except when it comes to fighting it seems the DNE continued his taunts ha ha virtues if I were a Saxon I'd wear my mother's petticoats ragnvald struggling to remain calm retorted you're our Ally so I'll excuse some of your rude comments but remember battlebridge and How our fellow Saxons
fought bravely against your countrymen oh yes and let's not forget that when this war is over you'll see just how Valiant Saxons can be but the DNE would not stop his provocations Saxons fight come on that's ridiculous tell me young milksop why do we Danes and even the Scots outshine the Saxons and why did you need our help to fight the Normans you begged us to come and now we're here just wait until we're finished if we don't get any Norman loot We'll gladly take Saxon riches by force do you hear me young six-footer the
argument was escalating when a Danish messenger arrived and whispered something in the drunken Dan's ear the pair quickly left the room ragnvald observed the Danes with suspicion and immediately turned to their leader Osburn but to his astonishment osburn's seat was empty as he had noiselessly slipped out of the room amidst all the Clamor ah what now ragnvald exclaimed leaping to his feet and dragging his comrade baywolf to the door there is something ominous in all this baywolf it bodess no good to the Saxon cause Mark me what do you think is causing this fear and
distrust in our leaders ragnvald baywolf asked I know not baywolf but by the cross I not believe that just the Norman's name is enough to breed cowardice and panic in our leaders it is not fear that has overtaken these Danes Mark me but something more powerful they are at best merely mercenaries and are as treacherous as the devil if someone offers a poultry bribe they will not hesitate to betray us and this Norman is smart enough to know that they have their price that is not the extent of the problem ragnvald I watched osbor closely
and I do not like his demeanor at all he turned pale at the mere mention of the Norman's name I am sure he is a Coward and a traitor at heart what should we do now baywolf we must stand firm like men we know our duty and running away before we even see this Norman's face would be worse than cowardice then we must lead our men immediately if any idle rumors reach their ears I will not answer for the consequences if William is within Striking Distance we must be prepared if he finds us unready he
knows how to take advantage of That thus the ill-fated meeting came to a close leaving the Saxons divided without any clear plan of attack or defense a ripe Target for a cunning and daring Commander with bitter Despair and a feeling of imminent danger each member left to go their separate ways once all the Saxon members of the council had fled the room the bulky and ominous figure of the Norman Emissary rose from a seat in a shaded corner where he had Been discreetly observing the pitiful divisions of the the Saxon Council as he stroe forward
he released a harsh and mocking laugh and exclaimed well well well what a situation we have here haha a rebellion so precious indeed only a fool would tie their fate to such a contentious mob why I am certain they would slit each other's throats with just one word and did you see how they recoiled at the mere mention of the conqueror's name but where are my Valuable letters he rummaged through his dublet and finally extracted a packet which was carefully Bound by a silken ribbon and sealed many times with an immense seal bearing the crest
and heraldry of the celebrated count hoffos haha my prize possession he exclaimed turning the missive over and scrutinizing it with a Savage grin I'm so pleased I kept hold of you you're worth more than gold I won't be handing you over just yet and He cautiously concealed the letter back in his dublet haha he growled demonically hofsos won't lay eyes upon this letter again until he pays the debt he owes me I'll have his hughy daughter as payment or we'll see what happens I have my own battles to fight just like hofsos and I'll fight
them my way I won't hang around like some star-eyed fool at the feet of a lady and wag my tail like some mut at the slightest smile or word I've been patient and Submissive long enough from now on valdis will come first because I've caught him trapped Bamboozled by his own stupidity did he really think he could play the traitor what a fool and a simpleton although he poses as a wise man he can be as senseless as a Jester however I won't waste any more time on him I assume the Saxon fools have already
dispersed and run off to their hideaways like a group of rats I must make haste for if the Tanner's son Should catch me at my present business it will go bad with my hide I'm feared and I should like to keep my skin whole a little longer come what Mayo go home exclaimed he bursting again intoo laughter I wonder what Odo or Fitz Osborne would give to know of this little freak of Hof sauces the cunning Odo has ousted him from Williams councils already and if he had possession of this thumping his chest where the
missive L he'd have Hof sau's Head in a Trice enough that will do for me and with that he vanished from the hall meanwhile the second messenger at whose communication the Danish sea Rovers had vanished from the council proved to be an emissary of the Wy conqueror his purpose being to negotiate with the Danes and with Osburn conditions on which they would retire from the fry scarcely were they outside than he said to these Danes my master offers to You 500 ounces of beaten gold and a free passage for your vessels together with such plunder
as you can rest from the Saxons 500 ounces of gold is a sorry price for a wealthy King like your master to offer for such a service declared one of the Danes but come now if your master will make it 1,000 ounces to be delivered over by sunset tomorrow together with our plunder and such as we can further gather why then within 24 hours our vessels shall be plowing the Northern Seas for home done said the messenger my hand on it the gold shall be delivered over to you by sunset tomorrow as you say no
sooner was this bargain made then the Spy turned his attention to Osburn a man treacherous by Instinct and cowardly by Nature it is not necessary to say that he grasped only too eagerly at the promised free pardon coupled as it was with large grants of land and Estates with the Saxon forces thus weakened and demoralized William knew the remnant of this powerful conspiracy would be crushed with the utmost ease by him chapter 4 defeat though the field may seem lost despair not as I recall the words of Paradise Lost all is not lost the Saxon
Rebellion against William the Conqueror appeared to be going well for the rebels with their encampment on The River's Edge providing protection against the Danish forces but news of Williams arrival sent waves of consternation through ragnvald and beay Wolf's ranks they had fortified their defenses along the riverbank but it was no match for the Normans who had passed the river unopposed unverified rumors suggested that Osburn the commander-in-chief of the Saxon forces had betrayed them the once proud walls of the city now in disrepair and the gates were broken down providing no real barrier against the Enemy
forces ragnvald and his fellow soldiers patrolled their positions but their resolve was slipping all hope seems lost but the night is darkest before the dawn in these Dire Straits time was of the essence for the Normans were advancing up the river overpowering the Saxon outposts and forcing them back on the Main Army a war council was quickly called and many were in favor of dispersing Without a fight due to the danger and apparent hopelessness of their cause in the face of such treachery however ragnvald rallied the council with his words I fear that treachery has
infiltrated our ranks yet we do not know the extent of it if Osborne has accepted Williams bribes we still have the Danes who will be able to harass our enemy from behind furthermore we are expecting reinforcements from Malcolm of Scotland And ethal reader so we need not despair let us make a bold stand the battle is not lost if the Danes remain steadfast he spoke he continued we cannot defeat the Normans in open country with our limited numbers for they will easily flank us and surround us our best course of action is to position ourselves
On The Fringe of the dense wood where we can extend our line under the cover of the thicket this will render the enemy's Cavalry useless and our archers spearmen And Swordsmen will be able able to operate effectively we will minimize casualties while delivering a severe blow to Williams campaign the leaders swiftly comprehended the wisdom of ragnvald words the troops promptly withdrew to the wood and set up their defensive position just within its protection the Saxons were Valiant individually but lacked discipline and the ability to coordinate their movements in the open Terrain this move enhanced their
morale and gave them Shelter From the enemy's Cavalry which always had a demoralizing effect on untrained soldiers they stationed their right flank on the river shielding it from flanking movements and extended their Left Flank to prevent the Normans from outflanking them their attenuated lines made it challenging for the enemy Cavalry to charge through and the dense wood effectively created a barrier to The Cavalry ragnvald organized his troops into two main lines of combat the first was made up of soldiers wielding swords and Spears whose Duty it was to stop the advance of the Norman Army
the second line was comprised of archers who were tasked with shooting arrows at the enemy soldiers to cover the front lines baywolf was put in charge of the Left Flank and received strict orders not to allow the Normans to outflank his forces even if it meant doubling up on The Left Flank and taking it all the way to the river before ragnvald could complete his strategic deployment of troops the Norman Vanguard arrived and an intense battle began the Normans were taken aback when the Saxons let loose a torrent of arrows from Point Blank Range forcing
them to retreat Beyond bowshot when the rest of the Norman forces finally arrived they launched a more ferocious assault on the Saxon position but the Saxons were counting on The element of surprise hidden behind trees and shrubs they fell upon the attackers with their short Spears swords and battle axes causing havoc in the enemy ranks ragnvald and other armored Saxon Fighters charged at the Normans cutting down scores of of men at arms and targeting the Norman leaders in the middle of the chaos a stunning event occurred when ragnvald spotted the Burly Norman valdis who had
come pretending to Offer his help now fighting aggressively against them furious at his duplicity ragnvald charged toward him and the two Warriors met on the battlefield you treacherous villain ragnvald exclaimed is this your idea of being our friend I have a personal message for backstabbing traitors like you stop yapping like some clueless wench you Saxon coward said valdis fiercely come at me and I'll finish you off Quickly thus ensued an epic struggle between these two battle hardened Fighters both wore suits of armor and Shields and both were highly skilled in the use of their weapons
despite all their efforts however neither fighter managed to land a decisive blow the Norman Army Advanced steadily despite the Saxons Valiant efforts as ragnvald engaged in a fierce duel complet completely unaware of his imminent danger gmer a brave Saxon Warrior fought Alongside ragnvald and recognized the dire situation they were in he sprang to his Leader's rescue cutting through the enemy to reach him Master you'll be cut off if you don't stay in line with us he exclaimed grabbing ragnvald this sudden reminder snapped ragnvald out of his trance and he addressed his opponent saying we'll settle
this quarrel another time villain for now your best plan is to run away as the Normans pushed forward the Saxons extended their lines as far as they could but they were still overwhelmed baywolf followed ragnvald orders and the left wing gradually moved back until it converged on the river forming a semicircle the Saxons fought fiercely challenging every inch of ground and leaving piles of Norman corpses on the field their masterful planning and Strategic Defense provided great advantages allowing them to continue the Fight for nearly an hour however the archers eventually ran out of arrows and
it became clear that the battle could no longer be sustained a complete Massacre seemed imminent so ragnvald chose a spot where the river was shallow enough to forward and he and 100 stalwart Saxons held their ground keeping the enemy at Bay while their comrades crossed the river they fought back fiercely until the last half dozen of them crossed the river and Joined their comrades who then scattered and retreated to their respective homes this failure brought about by cowardice and treachery extinguished what had been a promising conspiracy which at one point nearly overthrew the Kingdom's usurper
chapter 5 desperate resolve fear is the greatest enemy of the Valiant for they know that death will come but once Shakespeare was right in saying that cowards die many times before their Death the Saxon cause has been betrayed by cowardice and and treachery declared ragnvald addressing the Brave Freeman by his side though the Normans may not pursue us now we must prepare for their bitter Revenge our broadswords have proven their worth and our bowmen can shoot with Precision but our only defense will be the dense forest and rugged Hills of our homeland let them come
for we are ready to fight for our freedom and against Servitude I stand with you my lord as a seol forever replied gorma sadly ragnvald predictions proved true as the Normans spread violence and destruction across the land aiming to decimate the population and quash any further uprisings at the mercy of the reader I shall not recount the horrors that followed the Saxon defeat in York at ragnvald command his men left the battlefield with haste but maintained their Order upon their return home the sight of their fallen comrades brought sadness to their hearts in the monastery
grounds the Earl spoke thus to his loyal father followers My comrades we have only two days before we Face the hated Norman enemy once more on our own soil and at our very doorstep let us not ignore what will inevitably come even in this brief respite neither age nor gender will be spared even if we beg at their feet and grovel in the dirt the only thing that Will hold the Normans back is the broadsword flashing at their breast or the arrow shooting uniring through the forest's trees I recommend that you head for the hills
taking your cattle corn utensils and anything valuable or useful with you the caves will offer some protection for your wives and children spread the word to your neighbors for every second counts I will protect you for now and you will remain safe until my castle Falls as the men trudged away to their Far Away Homes carrying the wful tidings the Earl turned to GMA gorma I am resolved I will not submit or beg for freedom from the proudest Norman of them all nor will I flee overseas to sell my sword to a foreign Prince I
see my castle in the distance where I was born and I shall defend it steadfastly until the end and even when we are driven away from it the sight of it from the hills will bring me joy I cannot abandon my Loyal followers to a bloody fate as a youth with a falcon on my arm and a Hound at my heel I traversed these lands and was welcomed by faithful yman and their hospitable wives of in their finest fair and me whether Victory or defeat our Fates are intertwined perhaps the Saxon star will rise again
and we will expel the Normans from our Shores what say you gorma your intention my Lord is to defend the castle as long as possible and then resist the Normans With the assistance of the woods and Hills that is my current plan I cannot hope to hold the castle for long but I can impede the Norman's destructive Advance through this means however my goal is long-term protection through these woods and Hills our fortune in this Craven region surpasses other areas in the Kingdom look northward to the hanging brow Mountain its peak soaring to the sky
and encircled by clouds the dense Woods are Like an army scaling its slopes to fight alongside us or protect us if needed the waters that Cascade from its sides carved into impossible Gorges will deter the unskilled to the east lie the weird burn Hills similarly remarkable to the South are the baldbe Heights and throughout this region these thick Woods that surround us offer unparalleled Sanctuary to the defenseless and oppressed at a distance of 250 mi from London despite the Norman's impending Pillage of our land William will soon withdraw his troops leaving us to deal with
a small Garrison set on occupying my lands and Castle currently we are unable to engage in direct conflict with our adversary instead we must utilize our most effective tools intellect and avoidance we will not present a stationary Target for our opponent to strike however once the Norman Invaders have departed and the majority of them have left we can take a more assertive Stance and Proclaim our rightful claim to the land what is your plan of action in this dire situation Reverend father he turned to me my Lord I replied we are followers of the prince
of peace and we must follow his example additionally violent means would not offer us any protection should we choose to defend ourselves it may only bring destruction to this sacred structure perhaps these crude and violent individuals may have some Respect for the sanctity of these walls we will open our gates and welcome them in those who follow your advice and Trust the forests and hills are free to do so those who choose to stay will join us monks in praying and seeking God's mercy maybe God will show us favor in the eyes of our enemies
enemies father give us your blessing ragnvald said as he fell to his knees with his followers following suit goodbye my child I said as I Blessed him May the god of our ancestors give you strength to protect your community and Grant you wisdom and discretion in this Dreadful time of your country's visitation as I watched the noble Saxon depart tearfully I felt a paternal love for him that rivaled that of any mortal father I had been his mentor since his birth traveled with him across many lands and had high hopes for him to become a
great Leader in politics scholarship and the Arts of Peace yet now I fear that circumstances may make him a man of war a brutal leader of Ruthless Men chapter 6 Baron Valdes at dawn unsettling Tales streamed into the monastery by way of refugees from far and wide everyone from Nobles to peasants sought comfort in the belief that Sanctuary walls would not be breached but their Hope was misplaced among those seeking Refuge was the Fair daughter of th baywolf whose Family had heroically succumbed to the Norman Invasion I could do nothing to defend her beauty understanding
all too well that the holy walls of the church were no hindrance to lust and violence I directed all refugees to the chapel asking them to join in prayer meanwhile I headed to the gate with some of the house cars and lay brothers and ordered it to be opened a disorderly mob of soldiers and men-at-arms swarmed past me ignoring my pleas for order one of Their commanders Baron valdis in full armor dismissed my entreaties pushing me aside with a curse and telling me to give up and join my fellow monks in prayer to the devil
some of the Normans made for the northern part of the monastery grounds where our animals and numerous servants were quartered scy our fearless Huntsman refused to budge an accomplished Trapper he clothed himself in the skins of the animals he hunted he was a prodigy Excelling in hunting Hawking and fishing as Swift as a hair and able to swim like an otter he possessed A sly wit and sharp intelligence such qualities made scy a great favorite of mine and I provided him with instruction I deemed useful while the reader may excuse this digression scy played a
vital role in the tumultuous times to come serving the Saxon cause with unparalleled cunning and Valor it is with great purpose that I present scoi to you at such Length on this fateful morning scoi appeared as a grotesque figure draped in skins from head to foot hello cried one Trooper to another upon seeing him what kind of animal is this the foul fiend or one of his imps by Moses replied the other who are you Satan shouted the first riding towards skuggi and striking him on the shoulders with his sword skuggi fed a howl of
pain at the blow stop that you lump of hogs flesh or I'll make pork of you in a wink Have You Buried your cronies you old Gravedigger Oh Hang him jack added the other impatiently don't waste time on the slobbering clown perhaps you should return to the Jolly friers for venison pasties and Old Ale as for me I'll take a look around and see if there are any better horses left than mine they haven't left any worse I declare I don't think he's a horse at all he's only a shadow and a half the wind
was just about to carry him away when I grabbed Him so it wasn't a robbery when I took him and I swear my weight is the only thing keeping him in this world Giddy Up old marrow bones your backbone will do to shave the monks with I'm surprised my body remains intact for it feels as though I am being pulled apart from the inside my trunk appears to be at least 6 in shorter than my legs thanks to the razor sharp Contraption I've been perched upon for the past three days hi ho Jack I exclaimed
turning Abruptly if you come across a keg ofil hold it for me until I return I'm parched as a sponge in a desert I could easily drink half a barrel my soul is evaporating through my pores due to the lack of moisture in the meantime the holy men along with many displaced civilians particularly women gathered inside the sanctuary hoping in vain that the sanctity of the church would Shield them from harm I however had little Confidence in this and had taken the precaution of relocating our most valuable and exquisite Treasures including silverware gold and books
to the Sacristy an arched underground chamber near the South transcept accessible by a set of secret Stone steps that cleverly vanished beneath the flooring this underground room was designed solely to protect our valuables in case of an assault by the Scots or Danes I observed that many Normans Gravitated towards the church assuming that the most valuable loot would be held within its walls they broke down the doors without ceremony and I followed them inside immediately the undisciplined and ferocious soldiers began to pillage and ransack everything in their path I approached their leader valdis and beseeched
him to spare the refugees alas he fiercely kicked me with his heavy Boot and bellowed to his men oh men we Have a den full of dastardly monks let's exterminate them all without hesitation the soldiers Unleashed a barrage of arrows into the defenseless masses clumped up around the alter stairs injuring many of them tragically valdis caught sight of the stunning eror hiding amidst the crowd stop Men He roared by Jupiter I've never seen a more beautiful Saxon lass melt down the gold and silver trinkets into coins I will take my share he instantly Grabbed ER
and pulled her away from the high altar saying no no my dear do not be bashful You Were Meant For Greater company than these Pious Men He exclaimed releasing her suddenly and taking a few steps back he stared at her in shock as she sprang at him and thrust a small dagger at his chest with all her might the dagger clattered against his male armor leaving him unharmed she stood before him defiant like a cornered Panther well By Jupiter he exclaimed after recovering from his astonishment there's some metal in you after all I had underestimated
the spirit that lay beneath that pretty Visage a mild mannered Maiden is of no use to me it's better to have some fight in my companions come here my feisty one he grabbed her with his gauntleted hands taking the dagger from her and throwing it across the church laughing and ignoring her attempts to break free he Carried her away down the aisle of the church I tried to stop him pleading with him to have mercy but he called out to one of his Burly soldiers instead hey you there run this vested priest through with your
sword I gave up all hope realizing I couldn't let him take Erica with him when suddenly a hush fell upon the church and a noble woman of Norman birth with Grandeur in her posture and bearing stepped forward followed by a score of Armed men her rich clothing and Beed headpiece indicated she was of high rank and to add to her Excellence she was strikingly beautiful as she looked upon the brutish Norman I saw the Flames of anger light up her dark glimmering eyes with determined steps she confronted him and spoke to him with words nearly
Ablaze I think this is yet another example Baron of your brutish nature inconsiderate towards the vulnerable Women around you you provide me with ample evidence of your lack of gallantry and I am offered even greater opportunities to prove it than listening to your sweet deceitful Words which you are so eager to whisper in my ear these Saxons are Unworthy of the honor of receiving chivalry from a Norman Knight remarked Alfreda Baron this act of yours goes against the basic principles of chivalry meant to protect protect the oppressed and the weak regardless of Their nationality release
this lady and halt your persecution of these defenseless men at once Alfreda commanded watch your words Madam the baron growled barely containing his rage do not meddle in the Affairs that do not concern you else you shall regret it remember that my lady release the woman's arm now and vacate this holy Sanctuary immediately or my report to the count will expose your violent Behavior Alfreda ordered if The count is bold enough let him look into the jaws of the wolf and count his teeth he won't dare to try it again threatened the baron nonetheless he
let go of Erica and left the church with his men cursing under his breath loyal Jules rard said Alfreda to her trusted Lieutenant please ensure the protection of this Monastery and the lives of these devoted monks Jules reard bowed dutifully as Alfreda turned to Erico I am deeply sorry for these inhumane acts you've suffered at the hands of these barbarous men empathized Alfreda if you wish I can offer you safety from further torment and humiliation under my protection I appreciate your offer my lady replied Erica but my home has been raised to the ground my
father and brother killed by your kin I'd rather face my fate with my own people no Matter what may come Alfreda sighed heavily it is unfortunate that things have come to this pass I understand and respect your decision but be warned my lady do not look for Mercy among my people and be especially cautious of the one you just escaped from for his Tender Mercies are cruel I seek no mercy from the Normans nor shall I accept it spat ER with bitterness those who bear the stain of my kins blood on their hands cannot hope
For reconciliation from me a deep and bloody divide separates us and no amount of time time can Bridget goodbye lady perhaps our paths will cross again she added with a hint of Sorrow if there is any way I can assist you I will do so with all my might she hurriedly left the chapel where she would soon learn of the Carnage and looting wrought by the soldiers though she made a valiant effort to protect the sacred items and Spaces within the sanctuary her efforts were in vain the soldiers ravaged the sanctuary taking anything of value
including silver cups sensors and even the silver table from the altar I had managed to hide away some valuables but the rest of our possessions were at the mercy of the barbaric soldiers when they had exhausted their search for Treasures they turned their attention to the seler's stores of wine And Ale they spent the following night in a drunken stuper while the monastery's inhabitants prayed and fasted those who had survived this brutal attack cowered in the woods simply grateful for their lives this was a bleak day for the sanctuary that had taken generations to build
and sustain with devotion chapter 7 Alfreda hos and so I Adorn my exposed villainy with ancient odd pieces stolen from holy text appearing as a saint when In reality I play the devil this quote by Shakespeare is a poignant reflection of The Human Condition one that I believe holds more meaning now than ever before my esteemed readers I humbly request your forgiveness as I gloss over the painful tragedy and misery that my fellow members of the order and I had to endure even worse the innocent common folks suffered greater violence and barbarity despite being advised
by the Earl to Abdicate their homes and land instead I urge us to follow The Narrative of the key players propelling history forward embodying the uprising of the people who were often just Pawns in the hands of the elite the Normans Unleashed chaos and destruction on their neighboring lands cre creating a vacuum of Devastation had the Saxons not fled and hidden away with their belongings and loved ones they would have been Decimated the Normans continued pillaging the next part after they had finished with the previous one however the castle belonging to the young elderman ragnvald
could not be seized without undertaking a Siege the hofsos who had set their sights on the castle and its fertile lands began preparing for their assault they carefully observed the castle from all angles and concluded that they would need to wait a few days before they could hope to Breach it even so they sent Heralds ahead to ask ragnvald to surrender the Saxons patrolled the battlements dressed in full armor monitoring the house cars that toiled to reinforce and rebuild the fortifications a group of 20 handpicked archers armed with well stocked Quivers was responsible for defending
the workers the Heralds a trio rode towards the walls once they reached the desired spot they blew a bugle blast to get Ragnvald attention before spouting their message hey you there Saxon they called out to which ragnvald replied what's the message from your master I can see that you're just Messengers The Mighty count hofsos renowned for his Valor and bravery demands that this castle and all its apperences be surrendered to him within the next 24 hours without any delay or interference we want to know what their Master will offer us if if we were to
Comply with his wishes without any resistance the answer we've received from hofsos is simple surrender unconditionally and Trust in our leniency Defiance will result in torture and death reply that we have witnessed enough of Hof's so-called leniency and that of his fellow Norman conquerors to put any faith in his words if he wishes to seize this Castle he must try and take it for we do not trust him and we Shall resist with all our might send the message to your master that we challenge him and his followers to snatch control of this Castle from
us these were bold words meant to motivate and encourage our troops nonetheless only I knew that Our Fate rested in our enemies hands I have counted the number of Norman tents standing a little further than 100 yards away from this Castle always observing as crowds of archers and men at Arms swarmed around The camp during the day at night I crept within earshot of Sentinels with gorma the Freeman waiting for the perfect opportunity to launch an attack but Hoff sos' cunning tactics and Military skills had eradicated any chance we might have had every point was
thoroughly guarded and patrols were sent to check for surprise attacks count hofsos and Lady Alfreda deont for's tents were erected on high ground in the heart of the camp which Provided a bird's eyee view of all other tents and their surroundings behind them were the tents of personal servants and Maids linked through a sheltered path lady alfreda's tent was adorned with embellished curtains and rare velvet carpets that originated from the ruang Looms muffling the sounds of footsteps and making it plush to walk on as previously mentioned lady Alfreda was betrothed to Baron Valdes by her
father solely for reasons Of politics and personal ambition without any consideration for her own wishes however Alfreda found this marriage proposal to be completely repulsive even someone less refined and gentle than Alfreda would have found this Union distasteful valdis was a drunken lecherous and uncivilized man whose habits were more in line with his boted and brutal troops rather than being suitable for one of the kindest ladies In Normandy admittedly he won some degree of Fame in battlefields and tournaments having Reckless Valor and enormous strength but he was totally devoid of chivalry and nightly courtesy which
was considered almost as important as physical ability hu's view of valdis was based solely on his control of a free company of mercenaries as cruel and bloodthirsty as himself hos had lofty Ambitions and held a very high position In William's eyes which he knew was largely due to the number of lances in his retinue and the men at Arms who followed His Banner Alfreda despised this hateful agreement her Southern blood demanded a more noble and courtly Knight than valdis to be the object of her affection she peered through a clearing in the park at the
castle and its Defenders and shuddered at the impending chaos and violence that was hanging over the camp And Castle far too often she watched the mailed Saxon Chief Pace his walls and direct the house cars as they worked on the fortifications for her to feel at ease as there was a striking contrast between ragnvald demeanor and vald's demeanor the fact that ragnvald was fighting against overwhelming odds and for his own life Peak alfreda's interest while the stories about his prowess circulating in the camp added to his fascinating appeal often Alfreda would Turn to her closest
maid and Confidant M to confirm her opinion truly a Saxon Knight of such cless and Valor what can you say meray indeed my lady the fighting men sing his praises and well they should when he took off his helmet to heed the Summons of the count did you see his handsome face a countenance akin to the Statue of Mars in the old home in Normandy same curly locks and inflexible features ready to confront an army did you not Notice this m my lady I did take note of it did you also sense a noble dignity
upon his open brow signifying a magnanimous Spirit deserving of all courageous men indeed my lady I noticed all of that ah M my childhood was spent surrounded by Tales of noble knights and Defenders of the faith all brave men are chivalrous to my sex and virtuous in their conduct a far cry from men like Baron valdis slavish to their own lustful urges how could such men claim To be brave when they are but slaves to their own desires these are evil days my lady all that is good seems to perish in this age the baron
is just a mere mortal like all others save for his unsavory nature I fear him greatly and I'm always on guard around him nevertheless I carry in my person something that will make him regret the day he crossed me and with these words M brandished A stiletto from her person listen m i saw the baron seiz A lovely young woman who sought Sanctuary with the monks at the Abbey I heard his lustful musings and loathsome gaze upon her I shudder to think of it I abore him and his ways but I also fear him with
all my heart please my lady calm down perhaps this Grim hour shall come to pass so spoke meay meay my heart swells with Defiance death is a welcome guest but to be wedded to such a monstrous mountain of putrid flesh as valdis is anathema I will flee to Normandy where in my books I will create the image of a valiant and pure Knight one who is worthy to marry but never will I share my life with a knight as cruel and boted as valdis hush my lady valdis approaches shall I depart no stay with me
m i will pretend to be ill let let me rest my head upon you valdis barged unceremoniously into the tent his unsteady gate and bloodshot eyes betraying his recent bout of debauchery what's this Alfreda he said Grasping her hand which recoiled at his touch are we not friends yet I rescued you from those monks who were nothing but Scoundrels you didn't seem to want to let me go Baron well let's have some fun until we can get what we really want those monks are Jolly fellows and know what's what the Wench wouldn't have suffered from
being exchanged for a valiant night Alfreda shuddered and changed the subject what does the Saxon Knight say to your latest challenge that Saxon whelp struts about on his battlements like a valiant scarecrow if he were a true Knight I would challenge him to single combat and show him what Norman Valor is all about but let him boast for now when we're ready we'll have some fun with him and make him dance to the tune these Saxons like least he'll get the same treatment as others Saxons a swift exit at the point of a sword or
a more gruesome and Painful demise I'm hoping we'll have some entertainment yet Alfreda shuddered knowing that torture instruments were on the horizon and that valdis would take Delight in the agony of his victim I have no regard for such abominable practices they are Savage and uncivilized the purpose behind massacring and torturing helpless men and women is beyond me those who take part in such detestable activities evoke nothing but pity and contempt from me You Alfreda have been brought up in a sheltered environment that causes you to turn your nose up at these turbulent times however
we must eradicate these Saxon nuisances particularly their leaders and those with tenacity these countrymen may have a purpose but only after we have subdued their freedom loving nature they will require some tough love and discipline when will this travesty come to a close and if this Fortress Falls Will it be our final destination I am exhausted from trailing after an army whose sole desire is to quench their thirst for Bloodshed and loot aha be gentle my love for us this is the end of the line afterwards romance and comfortable pillows are what await us isn't
that right my queen he made an attempt to caress her under the chin Alfreda fled hastily followed by her maid although vald's General Behavior was repulsive his Flutatious advances caused an overwhelming disgust in her vald's vile features were Twisted into a repugnant scowl he stood fixed with anger suddenly his tongue erupted with all of the anger he had been stifling and with a barrage of insults and threats he stormed out of the tent possessed by a demon-like hatred for his intended chapter 8 villains plotting as the sun set Baron valdis stro purposely across the Green
Lawn towards the place where his own Followers lay sleeping Under The Canopy of giant beach trees Pierre he called out to a well-built and unsavory looking soldier who was bartering noisily with his comrades I have a task for you Pierre one that you will relish almost as much as drinking old Saxon ale what task does your lordship have planned now is it related to wine or women I wager my rosary on it replied Pierre with a smirk you would do better To toss your Rosary in the nearest ditch for if you pray as much as
you sin you shall find no time for anything else and if you try to atone for half your sins and then go on in sin for the other half then you might as well go on sinning for the whole either way your end will be the same villain you'll have no need to worry about that however I have no use for your impudence hear me out I require your ears and your utmost discretion for I have a delicate and crucial task for You to perform one that is well suited to your sensitive and emotional nature
I thank you for your esteemed recognition my Lord but I must say when I give up sinning I ought to resign from your service for how can a saint engage in the devil's work I suppose not too badly actually silence Nave or I will have your ears cut off listen to me a Saxon maiden of high birth and distinguished lineage resides at the monastery she is no common serving wench With Bandy legs and a figure like that of a misshapen wine barrel she is a rare and precious gem and I hear that she is related
to some of the most influential Saxons I need you to engage in some delicate negotiations on my behalf negotiations that you are well known for if you succeed in this task your stature in my eyes will rise even higher aha I understand this is a delicate and significant proposition enough with the idle chatter And listen well this is not the daughter of a filthy peasant raised in a pigy so this business must be handled with the utmost care and precision I see this is delicate pottery that must not be tarnished during its transportation and any
harm or damage must be reserved solely for your Immaculate self
